Course Overview

Are you a qualified Certificate IV Veterinary Nurse looking to advance your knowledge and skills in a specialised area? Do you have a passion for nursing emergency and critical care patients? Be at the top of the field with this respected qualification. The Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Emergency and Critical Care) is a professional and technical program for qualified nurses wishing to specialise their skills. Due to the complex nature of such study, students should have paid employment within a veterinary hospital or emergency/specialist clinic where emergency and critical care procedures are performed.

We love the training provided by AIRC & CCG. AIRC trained nurses are incredibly competent. The rigorous training program provides nurses with a high level of underpinning knowledge. This is backed up by workplace assessments to ensure that theory translates into practice. We could not be happier with our AIRC-trained nurses and choose AIRC for both Cert IV and Diplomas.

Dr Cathy Warburton
Veterinary Director
Animal Emergency Centres, Vic.

Course Delivery Information

ACM50412 Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Emergency and Critical Care) is a nationally recognised course conducted as part-time, correspondence based study. You will be given a study timetable upon enrolment which outlines your units of study, due dates and specific requirements for assessment.

The course begins by encompassing a range of emergency and critical care aspects of nursing: telephone triage, managing emergencies, trauma patients, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and detailing specific emergency cases in which you have been involved.

Upon successful completion of all course requirements, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion and an Academic Transcript which documents your individual outcomes. Student Support Coordinators are available and will assist you with anything you may need. Learn more about the AIRC team.

Countries Offered

This course is available in Australia. If you are in a different country, please contact us to discuss availability.

Who is this suitable for?

If you have the ability to multitask, think fast on your feet and maintain calm in the wake of chaos then the Diploma in Emergency and Critical Care is the course for you. The pace of an emergency nurse can vary from leisurely speed to on the edge life threatening situations within a heartbeat.

Entry Requirements

The pre-requisites for this course include:

Current Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Have worked at least 4-5 years in the veterinary industry

Minimum 25 hours per week of paid employment within a veterinary hospital or emergency/specialist veterinary clinic where emergency and critical care procedures are performed

Reliable internet access and an email address

We accept enrolments to this course on a weekly basis. To find out more information, please contact us.

Units of Study

A total of 8 units must be completed. You must have already completed the 19 core units from ACM40412 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.

Covers the process required to analyse the workplace in an effective manner in relation to environmentally sustainable work practices and to implement improvements and monitor their effectiveness.

ACMVET505A Prepare for emergency response

Covers the process of setting up the environment for specific cases, preparing an emergency station and the personnel required to respond emergency and critical care situations. It includes assisting in establishing protocols that guide physical and mental preparedness training, team response training and performance efficiency.

ACMVET506A Perform emergency procedures to sustain life

Covers the process of responding with urgency to perform pre-hospital evaluations, apply and maintain first aid to sustain life, and carry out triage procedures for emergency and specialised critical care cases.

ACMVET507A Provide nursing support for critical care surgery

Covers the process of preparing for critical care surgery and supporting the veterinarian during critical care surgery.

ACMVET508A Support veterinary practice communication and professional development

Covers the process of extending the skills and knowledge required to communicate at an advanced clinical level with veterinarians, other allied health professionals, clinic staff and clients as well as providing opportunities to contribute to the knowledge base and professional development of the veterinary practice.

ACMWHS501A Manage workplace health and safety processes

Covers the process required by an individual responsible for ongoing management of workplace health and safety within an area of management responsibility, where the workplace health and safety management processes have been set up by other persons, either internal or external to the organisation.

BSBCUS501C Manage quality customer service

Covers the skills and knowledge required to develop strategies to manage organisational systems that ensure products and services are delivered and maintained to standards agreed by the organization.

BSBWOR502B Ensure team effectiveness

Covers the skills and knowledge required to facilitate all aspects of teamwork within the organisation. It involves taking a leadership role in the development of team plans, leading and facilitating teamwork and actively engaging with the management of the organization.

* To begin the above units you must have already completed the 19 core units from ACM40412 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. If you do not already have all of these units we can arrange to deliver or assess you in them.